Management Chapter 3 Homework Case Questions And Answers How Would You

Studies have examined substitutes (the situations) can be designed to have more impact than

leader behaviors on outcomes such as subordinate satisfaction. The impetus behind this research

New Leader Action Memo: As a leader, you can provide minimal task direction and personal

support to highly trained employees; followers’ professionalism and intrinsic satisfaction substitute

for both task– and people–oriented leadership.

The ability to use substitutes to fill leadership “gaps” is often advantageous to organizations.

Indeed, the fundamental assumption of substitutes-for-leadership researchers is that effective

Discussion Question #8: Consider the situational characteristics of group cohesiveness,

organizational formalization, and physical separation. How might each of these substitute for or

neutralize task-oriented or people-oriented leadership? Explain.

Notes_________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Discussion Questions

1. Consider Fiedler’s theory as illustrated in Exhibit 3.4. How often do you think very

favorable, intermediate, or very unfavorable situations occur to leaders in real life?

Discuss.

Students’ answers may differ. Some of them may say that highly favorable and highly

unfavorable situations are more rare than intermediate situations. Highly unfavorable refers

to a situation that requires a turnaround, and most situations are not that critical. Highly

2. Do you think leadership style is fixed and unchangeable, or can leaders be flexible and

adaptable with respect to style? Why?

Students’ answers may differ. However, they could include the following points:

• Trait theories assume that leadership style is fixed—people with the correct traits

make good leaders.

• Fiedler assumes that the situation rather than the leader must be changed to suit the

leader’s style.

3. Consider the leadership position of the managing partner in a law firm. What task,

subordinate, and organizational factors might serve as substitutes for leadership in this

situation?

Students’ answers may differ. Some of them may say that variables such as formalization,

inflexibility, and physical separation would not be typical of a law firm. Task

characteristics will not be highly structured, but subordinates will get automatic feedback

4. Compare Fiedler’s contingency model with the path-goal theory. What are similarities and

differences? Which do you prefer?

Both Fiedler’s contingency model and path-goal theory consider the situation. However,

Fiedler assumes that task-oriented or relationship-oriented leaders should match the

favorability of the situations and the path-goal theory proposes that leaders change their

5. If you were a first-level supervisor of a team of telemarketers, how would you go about

assessing the readiness level of your subordinates? Do you think most leaders are able to

easily shift their leadership style to suit the readiness level of followers?

Students’ answers may differ. The readiness level of telemarketers depends on their degree

of education and skills, experience, self-confidence, and work attitudes. A supervisor could

assess these elements during the interview and hiring process. Students should base their

6. Think back to the teachers you have had, and identify one each who fits a supportive style,

directive style, participative style, and achievement-oriented style according to the path-

goal theory. Which style did you find most effective?

Students’ answers will differ. However, they should keep the following points in mind:

• Supportive teachers show concern for students’ well-being and personal needs.

7. Do you think leaders should decide on a participative style based on the most efficient way

to reach a decision? Should leaders sometimes let people participate for other reasons?

Students’ answers will differ. It depends on whether there is a need for a quick decision or

whether follower development is a priority. An autocratic style saves time without

8. Consider the situational characteristics of group cohesiveness, organizational

formalization, and physical separation. How might each of these substitute for or

neutralize task-oriented or people- oriented leadership? Explain.

Students’ answers may differ. If group cohesiveness meets employee social needs, people-

oriented leadership is not needed. Group members behave alike according to social and

Teaching Tools and Exercises

1. Leader’s Bookshelf: Shackleton’s Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic

Explorer by Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell

When Sir Ernest Shackleton set out with a crew of 27 in 1914 with the goal of crossing the

continent of Antarctica on foot, his boat, the Endurance, never even touched land but

Lessons for Leading in Tough Times

Shackleton’s team eventually made it to a small island and waited while Shackleton and a

few members took a small boat 800 miles over treacherous seas to a whaling station, and

Adaptability Makes It Possible

Shackleton always looked ahead and kept his eye on the big picture, which enabled him to

quickly change course in the face of the unexpected. Communication, especially by

2. Invite a leader of a group in the community to speak to the class about leadership style.

Leaders might come from local organizations, student clubs, from the military, or from a

corporation.

3. Small Group Exercise: Leader Behaviors

In small groups, think of a group or team to which you currently belong or of which you

have been a member. What type of leadership style did the leader of this group appear to

exhibit?

Give some specific examples of the type of leadership behavior used. Evaluate the

4. Leadership at Work: Task versus Relationship Role Play

You are the new distribution manager for French Grains Bakery. Five drivers who deliver

French Grains baked goods to grocery stores in the metropolitan area report to you. The

drivers are expected to complete the delivery report to keep track of actual deliveries and

any changes that occur. The delivery report is a key element in inventory control and

How you will go about correcting this problem as a task-oriented leader. Will you meet

with drivers individually or in a group? When and where will you meet with them? Exactly

what will you say and how will you get them to listen?

Leadership Development: Cases for Analysis

I. Alvis Corporation

Synopsis

Kevin McCarthy is the manager of a production department in Alvis Corporation, a firm that

manufactures office equipment. After reading an article that stressed the benefit of participative

management, Kevin believes that these benefits could be realized in his department if the

workers participated in decision making. The first decision involved vacation schedules. On the

Case questions and answers

1. Analyze this situation using the Hersey-Blanchard model and the Vroom-Jago model. What

do these models suggest as the appropriate leadership or decision style? Explain.

According to Hersey-Blanchard, the performance of the employees determines the

2. Evaluate Kevin McCarthy’s leadership style before and during his experiment in

participative management.

In the past Kevin had a telling style, directing employees and making all decisions for

them. Then Kevin gave rewards based on productivity. During the experiment, he used a

3. If you were Kevin McCarthy, what would you do now? Why?

Students’ answers will vary. Some may say that Kevin should use a more directive style.

The workers are far more comfortable with a task-oriented leadership style. He could

II. An Impossible Dream?

Synopsis

Allen Block was responsible for the technical implementation of the new customer relationship

management (CRM) software being installed for western and eastern sales offices in Los

Angeles and Chicago. The software was badly needed to improve follow-up sales for his

company, Exert Systems. Exert sold exercise equipment to high schools and colleges, as well as

Case questions and answers

1. How would you characterize Block’s leadership approach (task versus people)? What

approach do you think is correct for this situation? Why?

Students’ answers may vary. Some may say that with respect to the given scenario, Block’s

leadership approach is high on task behavior and low on relationship behavior. In the given

situation a high relationship behavior might assist in correcting the situation. High

2. What would you do now if you were Block? How might you awaken more enthusiasm in

your team for completing this project on time? Specify the steps you would take.

Students’ answers may vary. Some may say that, Block should immediately call for a

meeting with the complete team and discuss the issues they are facing which is hampering

3. How would you suggest that Block modify his leadership style if he wants to succeed

Mansell in two years? Be specific.

Students’ answers may vary. Some may say that Block’s team members no longer abide by

norms based on group cohesiveness. The substitutes for leadership—both task-oriented

substitutes and people-oriented substitutes—are no longer in place. Block needs

Digital Homework Grid

Case Assessment Questions

Topic

Category

Which of the following statements is true of the contingency

approach to leadership?

a. This approach seeks to investigate traits that can improve

performance in all situations.

b. The needs and maturity of followers make a significant

Leadership

Challenge #1

Connect

According to the situational theory of leadership, which of

the following is an example of the entrusting style of

leadership?

a. As a leader, George provides guidance and personal support

to his subordinates and encourages them to participate in

decision making.

his subordinates and authorizes them to take decisions and

Leadership

Challenge #2

Perform

According to the situational theory of leadership, which of

the following examples illustrates a coaching leadership

style?

a. Kelly gives accurate guidelines and comprehensive goals to

her subordinates and focuses less on people and relationships.

Leadership

Challenge #2

Perform

Demi heads the finance team of Impact Inc. The trainees in

her team are moderately experienced, well-qualified, and

proficient. However, they do not display confidence in their

capabilities and need some motivation. In such a situation,

according to the situational theory of leadership, which of

the following leader styles should be used by Demi to guide

her trainees?

a. Entrusting leader style

Leadership

Challenge #2

Perform

The team members of the accounts department headed by

Leadership

Perform

Edgar are experienced, self-confident, enthusiastic, and

knowledgeable. They possess the willingness to take

responsibility for their decisions and the execution of their

tasks. According to the situational theory of leadership,

which of the following leader styles should be used by

Edgar to lead his team with high levels of readiness?

a. Entrusting leader style

Challenge #2

Which of the following statements is true of Hersey and

Blanchard’s contingency model of leadership?

a. The model focuses only on the characteristics of followers,

not those of the larger situation.

Leadership

Challenge #2

Connect

Listed below are a couple of scenarios related to different

leadership concepts. Drag and drop the options below into the

illustrated box categorizing them into scenarios or concepts.

Laurel heads the technical department of Harp Inc. He leads

his followers by giving high importance to relationship and

very little importance to task behavior. He inspires

employees to provide suggestions and take part in decision

making. He also provides personal guidance to his

subordinates/High position power/The electronics

department of Sherman Resorts Inc., led by Harold,

functions on the basis of precise and well-defined processes

with specific and clear-cut goals. Each employee has a

detailed set of duties to be executed. Moreover, they are

given specific timelines to achieve their goals/Relationship-

oriented leadership/Ted heads the marketing team of Jade

Corp. He regularly motivates his team members and stresses

team cohesiveness. His followers trust him and respect him

genuinely. They are confident of his decision making

skills/Supporting leader style/Ralph serves as the

administrative head of Quimby Corp. He has the formal

authority to allot tasks to his subordinates and prepare

Leadership

Challenge #2

Leadership

Challenge #3

Perform

SCENARIOS

CONCEPTS

In the context of Fiedler’s contingency theory of leadership,

identify the correct statement regarding task-oriented

leaders.

a. A task-oriented leader is more effective in situations of

moderate favorability.

Leadership

Challenge #3

Connect

According to Fiedler’s contingency model of leadership, in

situations of intermediate favorability, a relationship-

oriented leader:

a. may not be popular.

Leadership

Challenge #3

Connect

Which of the following statements is a criticism of Fiedler’s

contingency model of leadership?

a. Researchers observe that a leader cannot identify whether

he or she has a relationship-or task-oriented style.

b. Using the least preferred coworker (LPC) score as a

Leadership

Challenge #3

Connect

According to the path-goal theory of leadership, a leader

increases follower motivation by:

a. diagnosing the readiness level of followers without

focusing on the larger situation.

Leadership

Challenge #4

Connect

Adam leads the advertising team of Rhombus Inc. He

interacts with his followers to understand their preferences of

rewards. He enquires if they prefer rewards from the job itself

or rewards like increments or promotions. He also increases

their personal payoffs for achieving goals. According to the

path-goal theory of leadership, this scenario indicates that

Adam is:

a. increasing rewards that his followers value or desire.

Leadership

Challenge #4

Perform

The table below illustrates a list of the various leadership

styles which are categorized into six basic approaches.

Match each scenario with its corresponding leadership style.

SCENARIOS

LEADERSHIP

BEHAVIORS

Mark is the

president of

D’Cruz Inc.

He is kind

and highly

concerned

about his

subordinates’

personal

needs. He

Achievement-

oriented

leadership

Leadership

Challenge #6

Perform

helps

employees

when they

are in need

William leads

his followers

by giving

clear

instructions

to his

subordinates.

Supportive

leadership

Jamie heads

the branding

Directive

leadership

team of

Matt is a

leader who

lays

emphasis on

tremendous

performance.

Participative

leadership

You are the managing director of an organization. You head a

team of supervisors who display different leadership styles.

You want them to increase follower motivation by either

clarifying the follower’s path to the rewards or increasing the

rewards that the follower values and desires. Here are the

details of the different leaders and followers in the

organization:

Elizabeth (supportive leadership style)/Jeffery (directive

You have to assign each follower to a leader based on their

situations. Drag and drop the situations of the followers to

the appropriate boxes containing leaders’ names.

Elizabeth

(supportive

leadership

style)

Jeffery

(directive

leadership

style)

Rita

(achievement-

oriented

leadership

style)

Graham

(participative

leadership

style)

Leadership

Challenge #6

Perform

Joel heads the advertising team of Synthesis Inc. Employees

are encouraged to interact with each other and achieve their

goals. They are asked to give their perspectives and involve

themselves in decision making. They feel they make a

difference to the organization with their inputs. According to

the substitutes-for-leadership concept, Joel:

a. should provide consideration and support.

Leadership

Challenge #6

Perform

According to the substitutes-for-leadership concept, which

of the following statements is true?

a. Formalized rules and procedures substitute for a people-

oriented leadership style.

Leadership

Challenge #6

Connect

Identify the correct statement regarding the substitutes-for-

leadership approach.

a. A substitute counteracts a leadership style and prevents the

leader from displaying certain behaviors, unlike a neutralizer.

Leadership

Challenge #6

Connect

According to the substitutes-for-leadership concept, which

of the following task characteristics substitutes for task-

oriented leadership?

a. Automatic feedback

Leadership

Challenge #6

Connect

According to the substitutes-for-leadership concept, which

of the following follower characteristics substitutes for

people-oriented leadership?

a. Professionalism

Leadership

Challenge #6

Connect